After deciding to go the wall mounting route for your slick flatscreen, another key question arises—exactly how high off the ground should you position it for best viewing? While personal preference varies, general guidelines ensure you mount your television at the most comfortable and ergonomic height.
Mount too high and constant neck craning causes strains. Too low causes awkward downward glancing. The proper mounted height minimizes these postures for comfortable TV watching from your usual seating.
This article dives into perfect placement specifics including:
- Standard Mounting Height Guidelines
- Factoring in Viewing Distances
- Getting Heights Right for Seated vs. Standing Viewers
- Accounting for Eye Levels of Different-Sized Viewers
- Tweaking Heights for Specialty Mounts
- Accommodating Recliners and Leaning Back
- Integrating Heights With Room Furniture
Use these television mounting height tips to optimize visibility, ergonomics and experiences in your entertainment area seating.
Table of Contents
General Guidelines for Standard Mounting Heights
Most recommendations suggest centering flat screens slightly above your eye height level while seated. General guidelines range by a foot or two:
- Center of screen at eye level
- Bottom of screen 1 foot above seated eye level
- Middle of the screen around 1.5 to 2 feet over eye level
This generally positions the entire viewing area no lower than about 3.5 feet off the ground up to 5-6 feet maximum. Any lower causes significant downward glancing strain. Higher becomes tricky to see overall.
Fine tune based on your mounting hardware capabilities too. Articulating mounts allow more adjustments than fixed mounts if centered heights don’t work initially. Most professional TV mounting services already know about this so you can hire one for easy and perfect tv mounting.
Factor in Viewing Distances for Proper Heights
The distance viewers sit from the screen also impacts ideal mounted heights. Sit further and you can position TVs a bit higher without straining upward much. Close up needs lower centering.
Use this general viewing distance guide:
- 6 feet away: Bottom of screen 1 foot over eye level
- 8 feet away: Middle of screen 1.5 feet over eye level
- 10+ feet away: Middle of screen 2+ feet over eye level
Measure out from your current seating to where the TV mount will go to determine this relative distance. Find the best centered height for that range.
Mounted TV Heights for Seated vs. Standing Positions
Most recommendations focus on seated viewing since people watch television from sofas and recliners predominantly. But also consider scenarios like parties with standing spectators across the room.
Generally place the screen’s bottom under 5 feet for groups mingling around the space watching television from afar. This allows clear visibility for both standers and folks seated a bit closer comfortably.
For fixed mounts, find a centered compromise height accommodating your common seated eye level along with abilities to glimpse up from across the room. articulating mounts adjust more freely between positions.
Getting Television Height Right for Differently-Sized Viewers
Every viewer varies a bit in height even when seated. So when mounting in household living rooms, test visibility from all regular spectators like family members first.
Shorter adults and children may need you to err lower on mounted television positioning range so they avoid strain. Compromise centered heights usually suffice.
But if many struggling viewers battle significant visibility issues, consider mounting lower then using furniture like cushions to boost specific individuals as needed only. This prevents awkwardly low placement for everyone.
Specialty Mounts Impact Ideal Television Heights
Up to now, advice covered standard fixed and tilting mounts securing flatscreens in centralized placements. Expanding TV mount varieties enable further customizations.
Full-motion articulating mounts extend televisions out from walls on arms, swiveling for precise angled viewing. This greater range of motion accommodates wider height positioning.
Ceiling mounts and projector screens also affect best height calculations significantly. Projectors in particular need proper distance from the wall and angling based on their throw capabilities.
Making Room for Reclining and Leaning Back Comfort
Even when centered at perfect seated heights, fixed mounts lose their alignment as soon spectators recline back in plush sofas or movie seating. Suddenly strained views return.
Using articulated mounts helps accommodate reclining, pivoting the TV angle downward to stay visible as needed. This flexibility retains visibility even at extreme lean-back relaxation.
If going the fixed mounting route, position TVs a bit lower than normal to allow tilting your head back without losing sight from usual seating. Or use mounts enabling manual angling capabilities when needed.
Integrate Ideal Heights with Room Furniture Below
Finally, factor the actual furniture and furnishings occupying floor space below the mounted television location. Make sure heights compliment positioning rather than block.
Avoid mounting TVs directly above tall bookcases or media consoles. Similarly, ensure pendant lights or accent shelves do not obscure visibility at seated vantage points. Keep the area beneath wall mounts open.
Likewise when mounting above working fireplace mantels, consider televised visibility above evergreen garlands or stockings come the holiday season. Centered mounts work best for open, uncluttered areas.
In Summary
Finding the optimal flatscreen television mounting height boosts viewing experiences and entertainment room ergonomics for everyone. While general height recommendations fall between three to six feet centering screens slightly above seated eye levels, customize based on your exact viewing distances, spectators and seating. Reevaluate fixed heights during common leaning and reclining too. Perfectly positioning wall mounted visual accessibility avoids neck and eye strains.